American Airlines Stock News

Airlines expected a return to normal to happen relatively quickly, but flight cuts are temporarily frozen at 6%.

Flight cancellations eased to the lowest rate in almost a week on Wednesday ahead of a House vote on a bill that could end the longest-ever government shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and major airlines warned that flight disruptions could linger even after the shutdown.

The longest federal government shutdown disrupted tens of thousands of flights in recent days, and with it, U.S. carriers' optimistic expectations for the holiday quarter. Now, they are wrangling with how to minimize the ripple effects on travelers and their bottom line as the government looks set to reopen by the end of the week.

Airlines canceled 1,200 flights on Tuesday, the fifth straight day they have topped 1,000 since the government imposed mandatory flight reductions to address safety concerns.

Airlines will need time to adjust schedules and staffing even after the shutdown ends, major airlines warned. The warning comes just two weeks before the busiest travel days ahead of Thanksgiving and as air traffic controllers miss their second full paycheck since the shutdown began on Oct. 1.

The COO of American Airlines called flight cancellations "unacceptable" in a letter to employees. American Airlines saw 1,400 canceled flights over the past weekend and 250,000 affected customers.

The longest government shutdown in history could soon come to an end , but the airline sector is still suffering its impact, with many flights delayed or canceled.

Flight cancellations represent a significant disruption for airlines, as well as passengers. It won't be easy to achieve a new normal.